"Lucy was partially trapped by rocks on her legs. Lucy was able to successfully free herself and began shouting for help."

Other climbers who witnessed the accident alerted the emergency services and Mr Foster was pronounced dead at 4pm.

Athena Picture Agency

A report read out during the inquest into Andrew's death said Lucy claimed he had saved her life

A post-mortem examination in the US concluded Mr Foster died from cranio-cerebral injuries and no details of the injuries Mrs Foster suffered were disclosed.

After the accident, Mrs Foster was airlifted to the trauma unit of a local hospital, where her condition stabilised.

Assistant coroner Caroline Saunders recorded a verdict that Andrew died as a result of an accident, saying she had heard no evidence that he was not suitably prepared for the climb or that the authorities had any warnings to avoid the area.

She said: "The evidence shows that Andrew and Lucy began climbing El Capitan at about 7.15am and at 8am embarked on the east buttress route.

"The climb was not straightforward and was taking longer than expected and so, sensibly, they chose to pause, have some food, and made plans to return to base.

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